Well, I did say in the last chapter that I'd shelve the True substory for a bit.
Extremely short chapter today, but I think this one just felt nice enough to publish as is. It hearkens back to the first chapters of this collection when I knew next to nothing about these two.
Ah, how time flies.
"Want me to get you a snack or something? Drink, maybe?"
"I'm okay. Thank you."
Akira bobbed his head in response and put his headphones back on, the light sound of jazz buzzing from the device. He rested his head on the kotatsu table and closed his eyes. Makoto finished what she was writing and snuck a look at him, shaking her head and smiling at how comfortable he looked.
...Contrary to no one's belief, Makoto was not dumb. She could tell that Akira was itching for something fun to happen. With this in mind, she was happy to deliver.
Makoto smiled to herself and shut her binder with a dull 'thump', effectively startling Akira out of his daze. With that, she shoved the notes and her pen across the table to come to rest just in front of him. While he simply stared at the upside-down pad and tried to figure out her plan, she rose, circled around the table, and sat firmly in his lap. "Hold me."
"Mm."
Akira was nonplussed, but still managed to comply with her demand, wrapping his arms around her waist as she reached forward to turn her notes around. She picked up her pen and made to start writing again. Before she did, however, she set it down and peeked over her shoulder at Akira, who was humming happily with the contact. His smile widened slightly when she planted a kiss on his cheek. She was happy to make these small concessions if it meant he would smile at her like that.
This may be in the running for my shortest chapter ever. However, in my infinite wisdom, I couldn't comprehend how to flesh this out.
…'M considering if I should work on the next chapter for this, After Hours, or Into the Fray...something else...thoughts?